Stress incontinence diagnostic and treatment device

Abstract

An apparatus for diagnosing and treating stress urinary incontinence includes a belt surrounding the patient's trunk, a support plate on the belt, parallel tubes on the plate, and a generally U-shaped, downwardly opening pressure member having bent portions at the ends of the legs with enlarged tips. The bent portions enter the vagina and apply pressure against the anterior wall thereof to modify the urethrovesical angle, relieving the condition. The pressure member is wire coated with a physiologically inert polymer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for use in diagnosis or treatment of stress urinary incontinence in a patient comprising a pressure member including a generally U-shaped body of deformable metal having first and second elongated legs in substantially parallel relationship having a support therebetween,   the end portions of said legs being bent to form an angle of less than 90° with said legs, said end portions being insertable into the vagina of the patient with the distal ends thereof pressing upwardly against the anterior wall of the vagina to modify the urethrovesical angle with the support portion adapted to abut against the abdomen, and   a coating of physiologically inert polymeric material covering said legs; and     a support for holding said body against the lower abdomen of the patient, including a plate having means attached to the leg portions adjacent the support portion for holding said legs in substantially parallel relationship; and   belt means attached to said plate for surrounding the trunk of the patient and for holding said plate against the patient.     
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said body is generally U-shaped, opening downwardly in use. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 2 and further comprising enlarged portions at the distal ends of said end portions for increasing the area of pressure against said anterior wall. 
     
     
       4. A device according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein said plate is a substantially flat body of polymeric material. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said means for holding on said plate comprises first and second tubes of polymeric material fixedly attached to said plate.